Internal security minister George Saitoti says the government will come down heavily on criminals that have caused rampant insecurity in Samburu and Turkana districts.

Saitoti spoke in Samburu after holding a security meeting in Baragoi town.

But perhaps in a blatant show of defiance, armed bandits ambushed the Minister's driver and personal assistant at Naibor near Maralal on their way back to Nairobi and robbed them.

The two however escaped with minor injuries.

Samburu and Turkana districts have the dubious reputation of being in an almost perpetual state of insecurity.

Residents are predominantly pastoralists and have to shift locations in search of pasture for their livestock.

The search for greener pastures and water results to bloody confrontations between the Samburu and Turkana communities both who have honed guerilla warfare tactics and armed with automatic weapons.

Saitoti blamed the local leaders for fanning violence for selfish political gain and appealed to the residents to play a more active role in supporting the government's efforts to ensure peaceful co-existence.

The Minister deployed 70 anti stock theft personnel to tackle the cattle rustling menace in both Samburu and Turkana districts, which have been in almost a perpetual state of insecurity.